I noticed there's some major renovations going on at the Austin Street CTown supermarket....

I guess this market is not going to give up without a big fight. We've had some major improvements in terms of grocery shopping here in the neighborhood in the past year or so, with the Farmer's Market on Sundays offering excellent quality fruits & veggies, and the Duane Reade, Rite Aid and CVS offering expanded grocery sections that are actually pretty darn good for a lot of the staples. So I guess CTown needs to step up its game a bit. Should be interesting to see what this renovation results in. Personally, I've barely done any shopping there - only when Natural doesn't have something I need I walk right next door...

Learn
the beautiful art, craft and history of authentic Byzantine mosaic
artistry. Classes are small and informal with an emphasis on learning
the basic techniques, making two pieces you will be proud to display.

Session 1 - 11:30am - 2pm - Nov. 4,12,18,25, December 2 & 9

Session 2 - 7pm - 9:30 pm - Nov. 4,12,18,25, December 2 & 9

Session 3 - 7pm - 9:30 pm - Nov. 6, 13, 20, 26 (or 28), Dec 4 & 11

All
students are permitted to make up one missed class at the studio.
Classes are for beginners with no prior experience. All tools and
supplies are provided.

Class Price - $325.00 due in full at first class accepting check, cash and all major credit cards.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

It's called Red Pipe, and it's now open in the space where the former Stoa Jewelry store used to be at 7160 Austin St.

And guess what? They make a mean cappuccino!

It's a great addition to our neighborhood, and a long time in coming.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I visited. When the sign said it was going to be an organic cafe, I was expecting another food place. So was thrilled to see it's a coffee-focused establishment, just the type of place to kick back and relax, or spend some time with friends. Just what we needed...

Hours are 7 am to 10 pm, and they also sell breakfast, sandwiches and desserts...

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A sign has gone up at the former site of Stoa Jewelers at 7160 Austin St. heralding the arrival of an "organic cafe." I peeked inside and it looks like they've done a nice job with the renovation. While I'm very excited about this—anything with the word "organic" in its name on Austin St. means progress for our neighborhood—of course, the proof will be in the organic pudding when it opens.

This may be a good time to offer my opinion of some of the other eateries that have opened in Forest Hills in the past few years.

- OvoSodo: I've gone to this place several times and have yet to have something that really blew me away and made this one of the places in the 'hood that I immediately think of going to, like Bareburger or Banter. The dishes have been just ok. I'm wondering what other people think? Have you had anything there that was really good? Have you been going to OvoSodo for breakfast or lunch or dinner more?

- Reef: This new fish restaurant has a really nice decor inside and is very comfortable, with its two-levels of dining. While some of the standard fare, like salmon, have been excellent, I recently tried Reef's lobster tails and could not believe how much I didn't like it. So, I'd say Reef for now is very hit or miss, at least in my experience. But again, please share your experiences with it.

- Agora Taverna: We were going to go to Reef again and then decided to give Agora another try. We hadn't been back in a very long time. The last time I was there I think I had their chicken kebab platter and was disappointed. I figured a Greek restaurant has to have a great chicken kebab! But I found I really didn't love it. But that was more than a year ago. So we went back and this time we both had fish dishes and really, really liked it! So Agora's back on my list of good local places. Now I have to try their chicken again, though.

Please share your experiences with these places below. And remember, Agora Taverna is one example of a new restaurant which has only improved with time. So I think we should all give OvoSodo and Reef some time as well...

Friday, October 10, 2014

THE WHO HITS 50! NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2015

THE WHO, one of rock’s most legendary and defining bands, will celebrate their 50-year legacy when they bring their THE WHO HITS 50!TOUR to North America in 2015. THE WHO HITS 50!TOUR
will kick off its spring run April 15 in Tampa, FL and include 20 stops
throughout the east before wrapping May 30 in Forest Hills, NY. The
fall leg will launch September 14 in San Diego, CA and begin with west
coast dates throughout the U.S. and across Canada before concluding
November 4 in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets go on sale to the general
public on Friday, October 17 at 10:00am (local time) at www.thewho.com and THE WHO HITS 50!TOUR is being presented by AEG Live.

Friday, October 3, 2014

The Aston has gone live with its website, with some neat pictures of the apartments: The Aston Forest Hills By the way, what is that enormous body of water in the website's slide show? Makes it look like Forest Hills is a marina or something. Nice touch. I'd just like to go sailing there one of these days—if I can find it.